Atherstone 10, Alcester 19

ALCESTER recorded an important away victory in their first outing of 2016 to complete the double over their north Warwickshire opponents and move up to mid-table in the Midlands Division Four West (South) in the process.

Sam Smith was man of the match as the Kings Coughton side scored three tries.

With regular number eight Phil Birks unable to play due to illness, veteran Nick O’Connor stood in and gave his usual fully-committed performance.

Alcester went ahead early on through wing Stuart Whitehead, but the home side hit back with a converted try and a penalty to lead 10-5 on the half-hour mark.

Whitehead doubled his try count with another score which full back Smith converted well from wide out to leave his side 12-10 at the break.

The home side threw everything at Alcester fair and foul, although this boiled over in the third quarter of the game when first their scrum half was yellow carded before one of their forwards was shown a red card for violent conduct.

With the numerical advantage, Alcester made the game safe with another score for Walker which man of the match Smith also converted.

They face Birmingham Civil Service in their next league outing on Saturday at King’s Coughton (2.15pm kick-off).

Meanwhile, the Seconds lost to Evesham 58-12.

Alcester lost out to their neighbours for the second time this season, although unlike the first occasion they game they made their opponents work for their victory, despite only playing throughout with 13 men against the visitors who turned up with 14 players.

Alcester scored three tries, thanks to a brace from prop Kyran Flynn and one from Darren Craig, making a welcome return to action after several seasons away from the game.

Evesham had the benefit of the two quickest players on the field and the additional space afforded to them by both sides being short of numbers, suited the visitors.

But Alcester made the game competitive throughout but this boiled over in the closing stages when Darren Gwillym and an opponent were yellow carded after an altercation.